Sacramento -- Students at public colleges and universities in California could take online courses - even if offered outside their schools - and earn the same credit as they would in a traditional classroom, under a bill introduced at the Capitol.

The list would include courses that are in such high demand that many students are unable to get a spot in them. Those classes are usually the lower-division requirements in subjects like math and English, along with classes in popular majors like business and psychology.Steinberg said California's higher-education system is at a crossroads and that the state needs to embrace new ways of educating students.

The bill could open the door for private vendors to offer courses that would be recognized by public colleges and universities. The courses would have to be approved by a team of faculty from California's three college systems.

"This is not technology for technology's sake. It addresses a real challenge," Steinberg said.

Lack of access

Some students have had to stay at colleges or universities longer because they are unable to get a spot in classes needed for graduation.

"For a long time, students have really suffered from a lack of access to the courses they need to succeed," said Richard Copenhagen, president of the student senate for California's community colleges. He said students take frivolous courses and require additional state subsidies to pay tuition because they can't get into high-demand courses.

The proposal comes as higher-education systems nationwide are looking to online classes as a potential way of saving money, easing overcrowding and even attracting outside students who may pay for the courses. The systems in California have had piecemeal efforts so far, but this proposal would streamline that.

Many details of how the online system would work will be decided by the Legislature. One significant issue is how much colleges and universities would charge for the online courses. Steinberg said they should not cost more than a traditional course.

Lawmakers could also determine how students take exams - whether they will be required to go to a physical classroom for tests, Steinberg said.

Faculty skepticism

Faculty at colleges and universities have been skeptical of online instruction, expressing concerns about the quality of the education.

But online courses are already offered in California's higher-education system. CSU started CSU Online in 2011 and leaders in the system are working to create courses that could be taken at any campus in the state. UC has also offered 250 undergraduate and graduate-level online classes for several years. Since 2010, UC has tried to upgrade its offerings, providing incentives for faculty to develop courses. More than a dozen such classes premiered last year, and 1,700 UC students have enrolled.

Community colleges have offered cyber classes for several years, though those are mainly off-the-shelf courses developed by large publishers and not by the colleges themselves.